Binding strip for spring mattress structures



Oct. 11, 1955 J. G. PLATT BINDING STRIP FOR SPRING MATTRESS STRUCTURES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 22, 1950 I INVENTOR. Joly/7 6. P/arf Oct. 11, 1955 J. G. PLATT 2,719,937

BINDING STRIP FOR SPRING MATTRESS STRUCTURES Filed May 22, 1950 2 s ee m 'EN TOR. Jab/7 61 P/aff United States Patent BINDING STRIP FOR SPRING MATTRESS STRUCTURES John G. Platt, Carthage, Mo., assignor to Flex-O-Lators, Inc., Carthage, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application May 22, 1950, Serial No. 163,345

6 Claims. (Cl. -360) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in spring mattress construction, and relates particularly to binding strips for the marginal edges of the coil spring assembly of such mattresses.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of a binding strip for spring mattress structures which is extremely simple and economical in structure, and which may be applied with a minimum of time and equipment.

Another object is the provision of a binding strip which is cushioned, to provide extra comfort and to minimize wear of the layers of upholstery material customarily applied over the spring assembly.

Another object is the provision of a binding strip of the class described which, while quite strong in tension, is quite pliable or flexible, in order to localize the action of weight applied to the mattress.

Other objects are convenience and efiiciency of operation, durability, and adaptability for use in a wide variety of applications.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appear in the course of the specification, reference will be had to the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the spring assembly of a spring mattress, with binding strips embodying the present invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line II-II of Fig. 1 showing the binding strips in section.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the binding strip, shown laid out fiat before application to the spring assembly.

Fig. 4 is an inner face view of the binding strip, with the various layers thereof broken away.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified form of the binding strip.

Fig. 6 is an inner face view of the binding strip shown in Fig. 5, with the various layers thereof broken away.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a second modified form of the binding strip.

Fig. 8 is an inner face view of the binding strip shown in Fig. 7, with the various layers thereof broken away.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a third modified form of the binding strip.

Fig. 10 is an inner face view of the binding strip shown in Fig. 9, with the various layers thereof broken away.

Like reference numerals apply to similar parts throughout the several views, and the numeral 2 applies to the spring assembly of a spring mattress, shown fragmentarily in plan in Fig. I. Said spring assembly comprises a plurality of spool-shaped helical springs 4 arranged in parallel spaced apart rows with their axes substantially parallel. Each of said springs has a top loop 6 and a bottom loop 8, said top and bottom loops being substantially circular and lying in the planes forming the upper and lower surfaces of the assembly. The top loops of adjacent springs in each row of springs overlap slightly, and are joined by a plurality of helical binder coils 10 which extend across the upper surface of the assembly transversely to the rows of springs, and which extend between corresponding pairs of springs in each row of springs, coiling about the overlapping portions of the top coils 6 thereof. Binder coils 12 similarly join the bottom loops 8 of the springs.

It is to be understood however, that the particular arrangement of springs 4, and the means for joining them, are of no importance in the present invention, which relates only to the binding of the marginal edges of the spring assembly.

This binding is usually accomplished by wires which extend around the margin of the spring assembly at the upper and lower surfaces thereof, and to which the top and bottom loops of springs 4 are individually wired, clipped, or otherwise attached. This means has the disadvantages of being expensive and time consuming, and the marginal wires must be of such strength and stiffness that the resilience and yieldability of the edge portions of the mattress are impaired. Also the heavy wires required extra upholstery to protect the user, and itself had a distinct tendency to cause excessive wear of the upholstery applied over the springs. It is the purpose of this invention to obviate these difiiculties.

The preferred form of the binding strip, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, comprises an inner layer 14 and an outer layer 16 consisting of elongated strips of paper, cloth, or other pliable material having their longitudinal edge portions secured together by a layer of adhesive 18 as shown, or by stitching or other suitable means. The outer layer is considerably wider than the inner layer, to provide a space 20. In said space is disposed an elongated pad 22 of cushioning material such as cotton, sisal, jute, wood pulp, paper, or the like. Said pad is coextensive with the strip and may or may not be glued or otherwise secured to the inner or outer layers. A plurality of wires 24 are disposed between pad 22 and inner layer 14 and extend longitudinally of the strip. It will be noted that outer layer 16 is provided with slack as at 26, which compensates for the greater distance around the outer strip when it is folded longitudinally. Inner layer 14 is creased or scored along its midline as at 28 in order to facilitate said folding. A layer of adhesive 30 is applied along the edge portions of the outer surface of inner layer 14. Said adhesive is preferably pressure sensitive, and of a type that will adhere only to itself, such as latex.

In use, the binding strip is folded longitudinally along crease 28, and disposed about the marginal edge of spring assembly 2 with the fold opening inwardly. Said fold encloses the outer portions of top loops 6 of the springs 4 disposed around the margin of the spring assembly. The layers 30 of adhesive are then firmly pressed together to secure the binding strip in position, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The pliable nature of the strip, particularly the edge portions thereof, permits it to fit closely around the wires forming the springs and also to secure and bind other members, as for example the ends of binder coils 10 or the edges of a flexible padding support layer, not shown, which is commonly placed over the surfaces of the spring assembly before the upholstery is applied.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the inner layer of paper or cloth is dispensed with. A single layer 32 of paper or cloth is used, to the inner surface of which is applied the pad 34 of cushioning material. Said pad comprises two layers 36 and 38 joined by adhesive 40 and including a plurality of longitudinally extending wires 24. Said pad is secured to layer 32 by adhesive 42. Strip 32 is provided with slack as at 44 and strips of pressure sensitive adhesive 46 are applied to the edge portions of the inner surface of strip 32. This strip is applied in the same manner as the preferred form. It is apparent that the pad 34 must be sufliciently coherent or closely packed to hold its form, and to hold the strip in assembly before it is applied. In the preferred form, wherein the pad is enclosed in a sheath, the pad may be made of a very loosely bound material.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a single strip 48 of. pliable material such as cloth or paper is formed to present a sheath, the edge portions thereof being overlapped and joined by adhesive 50. Said sheath forms an inner layer 52 and an outer layer 54, between which is disposed pad 22 and wires 24 as in the preferred form. The portion of the sheath extending around the edges and outer surface of the pad is provided with slack as at 56. Strips of pressure sensitive adhesive 58 are applied to the edge portions of the outer surface of inner layer 52. This form is applied in the same manner as the preferred form;

The modified form shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is substantially the same as the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8 except that the pad 60 therein is formed of a plurality of layers of corrugated cardboard or other suitable sheet material. It is held in position by a line of stitching 62 extending along the midline of the strip and joining said pad to the inner and outer layers of the sheath 48. Said stitching facilitates folding of the strip along its midline, and permits the relative transverse shifting of the various layers of the pad which occurs when the strip is folded. Wires 24 are not used in this form.

Thus it is apparent that a binding strip having several advantages has been produced. It is extremely simple and economical to manufacture. It can be applied quickly and easily, either manually or by suitable pressure exerting apparatus. It provides an adequate means for binding and securing padding supports to the spring assembly. It is well cushioned, thereby providing added comfort in use and minimizing wear of the upholstery layers which may be applied over the spring assembly. It is quite flexible, thereby providing localization of the efiect of a body supported by the springs. Wires 24 provide adequate strength without objectionable stiffness. The term mattress, as used in this application is not to be understood to limit the use of the invention to bed mattresses. The invention may also be used in automobile and furniture cushions, and in any upholstered article using spring units.

While I have shown a specific embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that many minor changes of structure could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A binding strip for spring mattress structures comprising an elongated strip of pliable sheet material, an elongated pad of cushioning material longitudinally coextensive with and disposed against one side of said pliable strip, said binding strip being adapted to be folded longitudinally along its midline with said pliable strip on the outside to bring the edge portions of said pliable strip into juxtaposition, means for joining said edge portions together, and a plurality of wires closely associated with said pad and extending longitudinally of said binding strip.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said pliable strip is extended laterally to form a sheath completely enclosing said pad, and wherein said joining means comprises strips of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the edge portions of said sheath.

3. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said pliable strip is extended laterally to form a sheath completely enclosing said pad, and wherein said wires are disposed within said sheath.

4. A device as recited in claim 1 with the addition of a second strip of pliable material having its longitudinal edge portions secured to the edge portions of said first pliable strip to form a sheath enclosing said pad, wherein said wires are enclosed in said sheath, and wherein said joining means comprises strips of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the edge portions of said sheath.

5. A device as recited in claim 1 with the addition of a second strip of pliable material having its longitudinal edge portions secured to the edge portions of said first pliable strip to form a sheath enclosing said pad, and with said secured edge portions projecting laterally from said sheath, said secondstrip being substantially narrower than said first strip and being longitudinally creased along its midline, wherein said wires are enclosed in said sheath, and-wherein said joining means comprises strip of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the edge portions of said sheath.

6. A binding strip for spring mattress structures comprising a single elongated strip of pliable material, a pad of cushion material secured to one side of said strip, said pad comprising two layers secured together, a plurality of flexible wires extending longitudinally of said pad and disposed between said layers, said strip being substantially wider than said pad, anda strip of pressure sensitive adhesive secured to each edge portion of said strip on the same side thereof as said pad.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,413,577 Eldredge Apr. 25, 1922 1,960,585 Jacobs May 29, 1934 2,152,237 Bechik Mar. 28, 1939 2,235,538 Schob Mar. 18, 1941 

